Last December I wrote that I would be designating areas of Fresno worthy of either a Rose or a Thorn Award. This is my first designation, and I want to thank the many blog readers that took the time to offer suggestions for "candidates" for the awards. While I regret not being able to share all of nominations with you at this time, I promise to periodically post additional Rose and Thorn Awards for your reading pleasure. You are encouraged anytime to e-mail me (abriancalhoun@gmail.com) with your award nominations. There is much to be proud of in Fresyes land as well a numerous 'ughs' that we need to do something about.
Well, folks, here we go: Introducing the first Rose and Thorn Awards!
Rose Award Winner
I am pleased to give our first Rose Award to the multi-year leadership of former City of Fresno council member Sal Quintero, current Council member Mike Dages and the City of Fresno Redevelopment Agency for their work in beautifying Ventura/Kings Canyon Blvd. I remember well when I first came to Fresno in 1988 and would use this major thoroughfare to travel from Fresno to Kings Canyon National Park. The four-lane highway through Fresno was very unattractive with no foliage or color to break up the boring, hot-in-the-summer and dreary cold-in-the-winter view of the area. It was a particularly unattractive introduction to Fresno for the visitor leaving Highway 99 on the way to Kings Canyon.
The picture you see above is one short segment of Ventura/Kings Canyon Blvd between Fresno Street on the west and Willow Avenue on the east. Note the raised river rock-like setting adjacent to a light red brick meandering up to the palm trees in the background. The landscaping varies to include deciduous trees and attractive bushes. Different patterns are used for the rocks and bricks. An attractively designed wrought-iron fence with fair-related metal signs affixed to it is set into the median strip of rocks for the four blocks that front the Big Fresno Fairgrounds.
While not quite "world-class" (Why oh why would you lay that egg, Fresno Visitor and Convention Center?), the median along Ventura/Kings Canyon Blvd. is the kind of strategic, long term thinking that pays dividends over and over through the years. Once installed, it is there to stay for years. It adds to a sense of place, a respite from the boring highway. It gives the community a sense of pride. Visitors are impressed. A well-deserved Rose Award to Sal Quintero, Mike Dages and the City of Fresno Redevelopment Agency!
The picture you see above is one short segment of Ventura/Kings Canyon Blvd between Fresno Street on the west and Willow Avenue on the east. Note the raised river rock-like setting adjacent to a light red brick meandering up to the palm trees in the background. The landscaping varies to include deciduous trees and attractive bushes. Different patterns are used for the rocks and bricks. An attractively designed wrought-iron fence with fair-related metal signs affixed to it is set into the median strip of rocks for the four blocks that front the Big Fresno Fairgrounds.
While not quite "world-class" (Why oh why would you lay that egg, Fresno Visitor and Convention Center?), the median along Ventura/Kings Canyon Blvd. is the kind of strategic, long term thinking that pays dividends over and over through the years. Once installed, it is there to stay for years. It adds to a sense of place, a respite from the boring highway. It gives the community a sense of pride. Visitors are impressed. A well-deserved Rose Award to Sal Quintero, Mike Dages and the City of Fresno Redevelopment Agency!
My first Thorn Award goes to this ugly building owned and neglected by local developer, Cliff Tutelian. The building is situated downtown on Van Ness and Inyo Avenues -- in the heart of the City's revitalization efforts. Revitalization in this case is pretty much an oxymoron since the building's walls are literally propped up by 12 huge metal poles, as you can see in the picture.
Mr. Tutelian and his father developed downtown's attractive Civic Center Square many years ago. More recently, he developed the Villagio retail complex across from River Park, and the even more recent high-end commercial development at Nees and Palm. He purchased the old PG&E Building downtown a few years ago, for which he has done some rehabilitation for commercial leasing purposes.
Mr. Tutelian certainly has the experience and ability to improve the Inyo/Van Ness Building. He started work on it years ago and then stopped. Nothing has been done on it for at least four years. I remember scheduling a meeting with Mr. Tutelian a few years ago when I was on the council to explain why nothing was being done. His excuses were unacceptable then; they are certainly unacceptable today.
The Thorn Award for this building that is being given to Mr. Tutelian needs to be shared by others. Since the building is in Council member Cynthia Sterling's downtown council district, what is she doing to get Mr. Tutelian to fix up the ugly building? Does Mayor Swearingen accept the presence of this eyesore in the City's downtown, an area where she made a campaign promise to improve? And where is Craig Scharton, the Downtown Revitalization Division department head appointed by the mayor to improve downtown? Also sharing the Thorn Award for this building is the City's Code Enforcement Division.
A community is judged by many things. Physical features--in this case a road and a building--are only one. What you or visitors see, however, is important since it sends a distinct message about what the community stands for.
Kudos to the Roses in our community and bah-humbug to the Thorns!
Coming Soon. . .
1. What's in a name: "New Frontier? World Class? Fresyes?
2. Where are our private sector leaders?
3. Public transportation and the tyranny of the cell phone abuser
Mr. Tutelian and his father developed downtown's attractive Civic Center Square many years ago. More recently, he developed the Villagio retail complex across from River Park, and the even more recent high-end commercial development at Nees and Palm. He purchased the old PG&E Building downtown a few years ago, for which he has done some rehabilitation for commercial leasing purposes.
Mr. Tutelian certainly has the experience and ability to improve the Inyo/Van Ness Building. He started work on it years ago and then stopped. Nothing has been done on it for at least four years. I remember scheduling a meeting with Mr. Tutelian a few years ago when I was on the council to explain why nothing was being done. His excuses were unacceptable then; they are certainly unacceptable today.
The Thorn Award for this building that is being given to Mr. Tutelian needs to be shared by others. Since the building is in Council member Cynthia Sterling's downtown council district, what is she doing to get Mr. Tutelian to fix up the ugly building? Does Mayor Swearingen accept the presence of this eyesore in the City's downtown, an area where she made a campaign promise to improve? And where is Craig Scharton, the Downtown Revitalization Division department head appointed by the mayor to improve downtown? Also sharing the Thorn Award for this building is the City's Code Enforcement Division.
A community is judged by many things. Physical features--in this case a road and a building--are only one. What you or visitors see, however, is important since it sends a distinct message about what the community stands for.
Kudos to the Roses in our community and bah-humbug to the Thorns!
Coming Soon. . .
1. What's in a name: "New Frontier? World Class? Fresyes?
2. Where are our private sector leaders?
3. Public transportation and the tyranny of the cell phone abuser
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